Chelsea agree fee for Barcelona superstar

Chelsea will win the race for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas this summer as they seek a replacement for the outgoing Frank Lampard, according to talkSPORT.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been told he can leave Camp Nou this summer, sparking a battle between a number of Premier League clubs for his signature with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool amongst those reported to be prepared to meet his £30m asking price.

But according to Spanish football expert Graham Hunter, Barcelona have agreed a fee with Chelsea and now the move depends on whether Fabregas wants to play under Jose Mourinho or not.

He said: “Barcelona are off the record confirming that there’s an agreement on price with Chelsea. I have to admit I do not know what Fabregas would think of working for Jose Mourinho though.

“There were times when Mourinho was with Real Madrid that Fabregas was – although articulate – very critical of Mourinho’s behaviour. That can change, huge wages can make you work for different people.”

But Hunter did admit that Bayern Munich were also preparing to move for the Spanish midfielder if they decide to offload Bastian Schweinsteiger, although he also admitted that a move back to the Premier League with Chelsea was more likely.

“The reason Barcelona want to sell Fabregas is they want to spend €60million on buying Koke out of his clause at Atletico Madrid,” he added.

“But Pep Guardiola does wants to move Schweinsteiger on. He feels Schweinsteiger doesn’t move the ball quickly enough for the brand of football he’s trying to implicate.

“If Schweinsteiger gets sold then maybe there will be a bid for Fabregas but if you ask me where he will end up, I think he will end up at Chelsea.”